There have been so many new places that have opened since we moved to Logan Square just under two years ago – The Rocking Horse, Cole’s, Longman & Eagle, Dill Pickle Food Co-op, New Wave Coffee, Revolution Brewery, Logan Square Kitchen, Ciao Napoli Pizzeria, Sparrow, to name a few. It seems that every week I hear about even more new places opening here. It’s an exciting time to be in Logan Square. I love going to new places and I can’t help but think this will be good for the market value of our condo if we choose to sell it one day. Here are a list of even more new things I’ve been hearing about … and all within short walking distance from where I live!

The Bike Lane is a new bike shop in Logan Square on Milwaukee Avenue across the street from the Congress Theater. I noticed it one night while walking home a couple months ago and took a quick photo.

A few weeks ago Dallas and I needed to get a new bike pump so we walked over and bought one at The Bike Lane. The inside of the store had a just-moved-in feeling, but the guy that helped us out was very nice and they had a good selection of what we were looking for.

A few weeks ago we were at Summer Sessions on the Square. Afterwards, Stephanie and I were shopping around at Wolfbait and B-Girls. We noticed that something new opened right next door to the store. We were talking to someone who worked at Wolfbait and she mentioned that a new salon had opened that very day. It’s called Barbara and Barbara and their website says they do a shampoo, cut, blowdry and beer for $20. Perfect hipster combo at the perfect hipster price!

If you’ve been following along here on this fine website, you’ll remember a preview I attended for a new pizza place called Nice Slice. Well, Nice Slice changed its name to The Boiler Room and opened last week. I know some of the people involved in this project and was invited to the opening, but I had other plans that night. I hope to visit really soon.

Bucket ‘O Blood Books and Records opened last month on Milwaukee Avenue near the intersection of California. I haven’t been inside yet, but their sign says they specialize in fiction, fantasy, horror, vinyl, and “awesome.” Awesome!

A couple months ago I wrote about Cafe Mustache opening on Milwaukee Avenue near the California Avenue intersection. I noticed this morning that on the Cafe Mustache Facebook page, they announced that they’re opening their doors on Monday, July 19 and having a preview on Sunday night. Yay!

In February I noticed that Letizia’s is opening on California Avenue, just south of Logan Boulevard. I thought it’d be open by now, but everyone’s still waiting eagerly for the work to be completed.

As I noticed last month, Play is a children’s toy and gift store that is slated to open this summer. That’s about all I know about it. Play will be located in the same building as New Wave.

One more that I mentioned previously, La Boulangerie is a bakery coming to Logan Square and will also be located in the same building as New Wave and Play.

Jam is a restaurant in Ukrainian Village that I’ve been hearing some very good things about their brunch. It has been in the back of my head forever that I should try it out and I never have. A couple weeks ago I heard they’re opening a second location in Logan Square on Milwaukee Avenue, nearby New Wave. I don’t know the exact location, but there’s a storefront just to the south of The Rocking Horse that is being renovated and it’s my #1 guess.

Finally, yesterday Grub Street reported that they were walking around Milwaukee Avenue trying to figure out exactly where Jam is going to be when they noticed a storefront with a new awning. Just to the north of The Rocking Horse is going to be Wasabi Japanese restaurant.

There is one new Logan Square business on Milwaukee Avenue at Richmond that I am not that excited for, though:

The new Cash America pawn shop! At least it looks nicer than 99% of the pawn shops I’ve seen.

But mostly, though, I’m so excited for these new developments. Logan Square is the place to be these days!!!

Update 06.19.10: I forgot, there’s also a new coffee shop called Nothin’ Less that opened a few months ago on Milwaukee Avenue just north of the Logan Square blue line stop.

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